– 128 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Unit of RAJPUTANA RIFLES will attempt to carry out a *World Record* (to be endorsed by World Book of Records, London) on 22 September 2024 (Sunday) wherein the unit aspires to create following World Records:-
# *Most trees saplings planted by a team in one hour – 5 lakh saplings.*
# *Most tree saplings planted by a team of women in one hour – 25000 saplings*
# *Most people planting tree saplings simultaneously on a single venue*.
– The TA Battalion will carry out special tree plantation drives at *six locations across Jaisalmer* i.e. Military Station, New Airport Road Ranisar, Shri Mohangarh, Sam, Fatehgarh & Hamira.
– The World Records being attempted are through Community Participation under the PM’s project *Ek Ped Maa ke Naam* and Unit’s Flagship Outreach Programme *Bhagidari & Zimmedari*, wherein the Unit is promoting and facilitating local communities to undertake the ecological restoration measures, thereby, making them responsible towards Nation Building efforts.
– The motto of the plantation drive is *वृक्षो रक्षति रक्षितः*, which means *Those who protect the trees are protected*.
– The Special Tree Plantation Drive is aimed at fostering a sense of responsibility among the populace towards *environmental conservation* by involving the participation of the personnel from all spheres of communities, ranging from village panchayats to district administration, Border Security Force, NGOs, State Bank of India and the youth from various schools & colleges.
– The concept of Ecological Units in Territorial Army was implemented in early 1980 where in a requirement of raising a disciplined force with military ethos was needed to check ecological degradation in Himalayas.
– Ecological units are joint venture of MoEF & CC, Min of Defence and State Govt concerned to undertake activities such as *afforestation, soil and water conservation* along with other restorative works.
– 10 such Ecological Battalions are existing in the country.
– 128 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Ecological Unit also known as
*The Desert Tamers* was raised in 1983, has been deployed in district Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) since May 1997.
– The unit is carrying out its mandated tasks *dune stabilisation through afforestation and habitat resuscitation and protection* in respect of Great Indian Bustard.
– Since its raising, the unit has *planted 1,99,11,000 (One Crore Ninety-Nine Lacs Eleven Thousand) saplings* till date in *total area of 21,589 Ha*.
